A fire burned for hours on Mount Penn in Reading before crews from Berks and Montgomery counties could finally get the flames under control.
Firefighters remain on the scene above Hampden Park, near Reading High School on North 13th Street, to keep watch on hot spots and to ensure the fire does not spread beyond the lines that were established Monday night.
Crews from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry were also on scene Tuesday morning to investigate. Reading fire Chief William Stoudt told 69 News late Monday night that it was too soon to say whether the fire, which appeared to burn in a “V-shape,” was suspicious.
Initial reports were that the fire burned roughly 50 to 60 acres of woodland, however, officials will use GPS to map out the area and determine exactly how much damage was caused.
Officials said a slow burn will continue until it rains and said residents will smell and see smoke, but they should not be alarmed. Officials did not have an exact time of when Skyline Drive will reopen.
The smoke and flames could be seen for miles beyond the city as the fire burned out of control Monday night.
Crews from Berks and Montgomery County, along with several brush trucks and a tanker task force, joined city firefighters in battling the blaze. Luckily, they managed to contain the fire to the woods.
“There has not been any damage to any structures, as there’s really none in the area that’s being consumed here,” Stoudt said. “We had one injury at this point that does not appear to be serious, to the best of my knowledge.”
People from around the area flocked toward the scene after seeing the smoke and flames. They said the fire quickly spread up the mountain, which was cause for concern.
“Made me think that there was like a zombie apocalypse or something so we had to come check it out,” said Andy Gonzalez, who lives nearby.